The Best Burger Spots in Cape Town

As universal as they are, we all have unique preferences when it comes to burgers. Purists advocate the joys of beef on a bun with tomato, lettuce and onion, while modern gourmands are all about experimenting with toppings – from fried egg and bacon rashers to avo and beetroot. If your mouths are watering, you might want to try some of our favourites…

1. Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room

What we love The diner decor and street-scene vibe (if you’re not a fan of hipsters and skater kids, steer clear); the side order of twice fried fries served with aioli.We recommend Clarke’s Cheese Burger: A special blend of grass-fed cuts (from Bill Riley Family Butchers) topped with Underberger cheese and served on a buttery brioche, with your choice of fries or salad.X-factor The brioche bun, whose slightly sweet flavour complements the meat perfectly.Contact 021 424 7648, info@manfood.co.zaLocationClarke’s Bar & Dining Room, 133 Bree Street, Cape Town

2. The Butcher Shop & Grill

The Cape Town branch of this South African favourite is one for the meat connoisseurs. Famous for its steaks, the restaurant does fine, juicy burgers, too, made from the same mature-aged meat.Why we love it Its prime location on the Mouille Point strip, as well as the prime beef cuts used to make the patties! Add to that the views of the sea crashing against the railings of the Sea Point Promenade, friendly and professional service that starts with a warm welcome as soon as you enter through the front door, and it’s an all-round good experience.X-Factor The restaurant includes an adjoining butchery and deli, where fresh, good-quality produce is available for purchase. Customers are welcome to approach the butcher’s counter and choose their preferred size and cut, just like people used to do in the old days. It helps that the butchery keeps the same opening hours as the restaurant.
Good to know The Butcher Shop & Grill’s impressive array of vintage wines means you need not bring your own. The restaurant’s drinks menu also includes blended whiskies, single malts, cognacs and liqueurs.Contact 021 434 0813, enquiries@thebutchershop.co.zaLocation 125 Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town

3. Mount Nelson Planet Bar

What we love The Planet Bar’s stylish galaxy-themed decor with quirky touches and comfy couches is perfect for a late-night, after theatre/movie, bite – and if the weather’s good, sit out on lovely terrace and watch the celestial or mortal stars passing by – you never know who you might spot. This is a wonderful venue for people-watching and although the hotel won’t admit it, we know that Sean Penn and Charlize Theron were regulars on their recent trip to Cape Town, while they were filming in and around the city.We recommend Chef Rudi’s “Rolls-Royce” burger: a 200gm 100% pure beef burger patty specially prepared from a secret mix of various beef cuts combined with chopped parsley, Dijon mustard and salt and basted with Chef Rudi’s own secret basting sauce. The hotel is renowned for its bread-making and the in-house toasted sesame bun is the perfect vehicle for the burger, which is topped with mature cheddar, pickled cucumber, tomato, lettuce, tomato chutney and sautéed onion. This is accompanied by a choice of deliciously crisp fries or potato wedges and a side salad or coleslaw. At R135, it’s pricey, but you’d have to travel far to find a top-class, luxury burger that compares.X-factor On occasion, Chef Rudi can be persuaded to make extra large burgers, as he did for the 10 members of the Burger Boys Club who meet regularly – and all raved about the giant burgers they were served – at around R150 each!Contact 021 483 1000Location The Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

4. Royale Eatery

What we love The vibe. You have to order a shake to go with your burger – they range from the more conventional flavours (like Choc Brownie), to those with a bit more edge (the Jack Daniels and Peanut Butter, and you can definitely taste the Jack)We recommend Classic Royale: 160g pure beef patty basted in Royale’s special sauce, topped with aioli, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion and gherkins, and served with salad, potato or sweet-potato fries.X-factor Royale’s sauces are tang-tastic: have your burger with the house basting sauce or a go for the delicious homemade tomato relish.Contact 021 422 4536LocationRoyale Eatery, 273 Long Street, Cape Town

5. Redemption Burgers

What we love The unpretentious and friendly vibe, which is reflected in the homegrown ingredients used to craft the tasty burgers. It’s got a premium location too, tucked away in a corner of the increasingly fashionable Old Biscuit Mill, making it a refreshingly laid-back locale, considering some of the high-minded establishments it shares space with. The place gets especially buzzy on Saturdays, when the Old Biscuit Mill hosts the Neighbourgoods Market. The wood-floored outdoor seating area provides some respite from the crowds, and with a beer in hand, it’s tempting to just sit there all day, watching people pile up around the various stalls.We recommend The Straight Ace: a 200g handmade beef patty, topped with organic cheddar, homemade tomato relish, gherkins, and sweet mustard mayo. Simple, yet effective. More exotic options include the Flimsy Gypsy (an ostrich burger topped with creamy brie cheese, marinated tomatoes and fresh roasted garlic mayo) and the El Borracho Mexicano (dressed with homemade jalapeño mayo and topped with organic cheddar, chilli salsa and guacamole). They also make a damn fine veggie burger.X-factor The crispy fries come with additional flavour thanks to Redemption Burgers’ special seasoning, made in-house. Whatever it is, it works. They also stock a range of authentic craft beers, including Fokof Lager (product of Afrikaans rock band Fokofpolisiekar)Good to know Though burgers are their passion, the restaurant also offers breakfast options (up until 12pm), coffee and sandwiches; and they stock liquor.Contact 079 476 3648, chef@redemptionburgers.co.zaLocation Block B, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock

7. Dog’s Bollocks

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What we love The make-shift vibe (it’s in a driveway-cum-garage); proprietor Nigel Wood’s dry humour and no-frills approach (no waitrons, no cutlery) and, of course, the limited-edition burgers. Only 50 burgers are made each night and once they’ve been snapped up, that’s it. However, you can order ribs, chicken wings and nachos off the menu.We recommend Old School 1950s Mega Slider: a beef patty topped with melted cheddar, caramelised onion, fresh lettuce, slice of tomato and a selection of sauces. Fries are includedX-factor It’s a real hidden gem.Contact 082 885 5719 (Megan), 083 440 7843 (Nigel), meganeloff@gmail.comLocationDog’s Bollocks, 6 Roodehek Street, Gardens

9. Gibson’s

What we love With its new location at the V&A Waterfront overlooking the working harbour, Gibson’s now has more space and better views, along with the usual diverse array of burger choices. The Mexican-inspired toppings ensure this burger is full of flavour (and big enough to get past any Donald Trump-erected wall).We recommend The Ultimare Mex-Tex: a sizeable burger topped with cheddar cheese, jalapeño and guacamole, served with nachos, salsa and sour cream.X-factor The handspun thick milkshakes make a fine accompaniment, with a range of flavours including blueberry and cinnamon doughnut.Contact 087 357 3465, info@slickrestaurants.comLocationGibsons Gourmet Burger & Ribs, V&A Waterfront

10. Jerry’s

What we love The patties are made according to a secret mince recipe, with no eggs or bread crumbs. And contrary to many other burger joints, the price includes a generous portion of fries: thin, shoe-stringy perfection.We recommend The Jack D: A 100-percent pure beef burger basted in a sticky Jack Daniels sauce with caramelised onions and crisp bacon. (The B.A.F – bacon, avo and feta – came in a close second.)X-factor The mouthwatering patties are served on gorgeous brioche buns. Tangy sauces such as chipotle mayo and mustard mayo are made in-house from scratch.Contact 021 447 8554, obz@jerrysburgerbar.co.zaLocationJerry’s Burger Bar, 123 Lower Main Road, Observatory

11. Café Caprice

What we love The setting – in the thick of the Camps Bay Strip. Although it attracts the glam squad, its beach-facing location make it quite chilled.We recommend Caprice Burger: 100% pure beef basted in barbeque sauce, topped with beer-battered onion rings and served with fries.X-factor The onion rings – a mini meal in themselves – add texture, crunch and flavour.Contact 021 438 8315, info@cafecaprice.co.zaLocationCafe Caprice, 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay

13. Woodies

What we love Burgers start at R25 and there are nine to choose from – all available in either a hand-pressed pure ground-beef patty or chicken fillet. Plus, everything on the menu is halaal.We recommend The Colossus: A burger so big, it has its own hashtag! Four 100g beef patties (or two chicken fillets) with mozzarella, cheddar, lettuce, onions, tomato and gherkins. Hashtag: yum!X-factor The Woodies experience is not what you might expect at the V&A. You’ll find it upstairs at the V&A Market on the Wharf. Grab a seat at one of the tables in the food court and wait for your name to be called to collect your order. If it’s a nice day, take your food and sit at one of the outdoor tables. Your traditional hand-cut chips (R15 extra) come in a styrofoam cup, the biggest burger you’ve ever seen on a paper plate and, finally, expect to use the heap of napkins provided – it’s hard to keep things together!Contact 079 125 7228, woodiesburgers@gmail.comLocationWoodies, V&A Food Market on the Wharf (upstairs)

14. The Butcher Man

What we love The all-in-one butchery-and-burger joint. Customers get to choose their own cut of beef from the cooler, which can be taken home, or eaten on site at one of the street-facing tables overlooking Green Point’s main drag.We recommend Wagyu Burger: 200g of prime-cut wagyu beef, imported from Gauteng and aged in-house, topped with pickled cucumbers and house-made mayo, and served with French fries and coleslaw.X-factor It’s a carnivore’s paradise down here, so leave your vegetarian friends at the door. The deli and biltong bar is the pepper sauce on the top (for want of a better metaphor).Contact 021 434 1111, realmeat@thebutcherman.co.zaLocationThe Butcher Man, 105 Main Road, Greenpoint, Cape Town

Find out what else there is to do in Cape Town besides chowing on burgers.

The Inside Guide has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, we do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, cost, time, and location.

Alan

The Inside Guide

Jade

We have been around the burger block a couple times! Burgers at Royale are amazing! But our current addiction is the TRUFFLE & MUSHROOM BURGER at EASY TIGER BURGER BAR IN KALK BAY – NO words to describe the awesomeness that is this burger. Try with a side of CBC Amber Weiss and it’s a match made in burger heaven; )

Norman

Kojak

I am absolutely “shocked” at the ridiculous prices for any of these “Burgers”. Who want’s to “buy shares” in the business, because that is basically what these prices amount to. Senseless when a patty, some salads, chips, onion rings, and whatever else probably only cost them at max R 25-00. What a joke! You pay this price you either have way too much money which you could / should have given to the poor in this country; OR your “common sense” has left you without you recognising it.

GIDZA

Russell

Awesome burger summary for Cape Town! Only thing I’d say is stear clear of Mondiall. That burger is now R115 and I caught them out recently on serving “Wagyu” that actually wasn’t Wagyu at all – it was just normal beef.

Jono

Joel

I was surprised, (and i shouldnt have been, for a motto ive always remembered is: good food can come from anywhere, or anyone) for one night i went out with a few buds, to a local bar. Nothing particularly fancy, its dark not gandalfs dark but dark nonetheless. Two stories, the first is a small bar with some pool tables and so is the second. The second floor however does have an adjoining kitchen where I beheld one person working. My friends got peckish and ordered some pizza and i, a burger and chips. I expected frozen chips and a greasy horrible burger. What i got was nothing short of good homemade food. I was allowed to watch the only chef there cut chips from potatoes and make the patties. For once i was happy to send my compliments to the chef. That delightfully hidden place is none other than The Shack. Not known for its food but rather for having a good time with a beer and a companion or two. I have read and seen all these burgers but some of them miss the plain point. Some things are better left without sauce, this burger patty is no different to that rule.

Michael Nash

JET

People need to do better research, while there are some great burgers there, there’s also very average ones, and leaving off THE TAP ROOM is a fail, as well as KLOOF STREET HOUSE’s waygu beef cheeseburger with truffle fries easily trumps all those on this list.

The Inside Guide

Hi Jarrad.
Thanks for your passion. I guess taste is so subjective. We LOVE the burgers at Kloof Street House, but this time round, there were others that we felt needed to be on there.
Will definitely give the Tap Room a whirl.

Matt Willis

Some good picks here. I like the way you advocate a burger, rather than a venue. That’s a good take on an opinionated topic! Check out Devil’s Peak Taproom – nice plain burger but the meat shines through (I find a lot of places mask an average patty with lots of toppings). Done perfect every time.

william

Ian

Reading the list , i keep thinking….”what about this place, or phat about that place”. But The list i see here is well put together….Thanx for a good read. If I may…some other burgers of note.
*Sticky Fingers Franchise – The pepper mix in their beef is something that will change your life!
*Beefcakes (greenpoint) – Not exactly the orthodox setting for a burger, but a good show cant do you any harm….but wait those burgers…..apart from being a well put together (constructed) burger, the choices available for patties along with the compliments of the spices (i think ive figured out the one secret spice) will definately remain a moment of bliss.
* My last intrusion on this post ….The One gentleman in the faaaaaar back of the hall at the biscuit mill on Saturday. I recognize him by the RE/MAX cap he always wears….okay so the thing is…there are burgers (as is evident) and then ….there are BHURGHAS! . as Im typing my hearts starts to race….Im leaving it up to you to try it. Im sure no description is needed. *tip – Try the lamb patty